Links
Warning: PNG websites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that it
costs money to host a website and there is not much return on the outlay to
most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services or
even have some comments to make then please contact the people at the relevant
website and let them know so they at least know that someone has gained some
value from their efforts. If you are so inclined then mention that you heard
about them from this website. -- The PNG Gossip Newsletter.
Links
For the serious adventure traveller -- http://www.geographia.com/papua%2Dnewguinea
http://www.countryreports.org/country.asp?countryid=190&countryName=Papua%20New%20Guinea
West New Britain Tourism Promotion Web Site -- http://www.tourismwestnewbritain.org.pg
Jane's Oceania Home Page Newsletter -- http://www.janeresture.com/png_home/index.htm
Papua New Guinea Institute of Accountants -- http://www.pngia.org.pg
Rotary Club of Boroko and Papua New Guinea -- http://www.rotary.org.pg
Friends of the Disabled Association -- http://www.foda.org.pg
The Lonely Planet Guide to PNG is located at -- http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/papua_new_guinea/
Superannuation Funds
The Association of Superannuation Funds PNG (ASFPNG) has a website located
at -- http://www.asfpng.org.pg -- ASFPNG
is an industry body established in 2002 by interested industry participants
with the common goal to protect superannuants retirement savings within a
regulated environment whilst fostering a competitive industry.
Real Estate Agents Association
The PNG Real Estate Agents Association, a non-profit making organisation
operation under the laws of Papua New Guinea has a site located at -- http://www.reaa.org.pg/news.htm
Education Sites
http://www.pngmc.ac.pg -- PNG Maritime
College
http://www.dg.com.pg/Che/index.htm
-- Commission for Further / Higher Eduction
http://www.ibs.com.pg -- International
Business Institute
http://www.iea.ac.pg -- International Education
Agency
http://www.pngimr.org.pg -- PNG Institute
of Medical Research
http://www.unitech.ac.pg -- PNG University
of Technology
http://www.uog.ac.pg -- University of Goroka
http://www.upng.ac.pg -- University of
PNG
http://www.workersmutual.com.pg
-- Computer Training
1001 PNG Nights
One Thousand One Papua New Guinean Nights. These stories originally appeared
in Wantok, the Pidgin English (Tok Pisin) newspaper of PNG over many editions.
Thomas Slone has translated and cross-referenced these into two volumes. Information
about how to buy a copy and a few sample copies can be found at -- http://members.tripod.com/~THSlone/1001PNGnights.html
-- Another sample authorised by Thomas can be found at -- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/1001.html
PNG Institute of Directors
The PNG Institute of Directors has revamped its website with the help of
an AESOP Volunteer, Peter Griffin. It is an excellent introduction to PNG
company law and related governance issues it can be found at -- http://www.pngid.org.pg
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce website can be found at -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg
Wrecks and Reefs
"Wrecks and Reefs around Port Moresby" is a book that documents
the history of early shipwrecks and World War II wrecks that lie in the waters
around the capital of Papua New Guinea. This book is primarily intended to
be a guide for scuba divers and it includes tales of cannibals, retribution
for a ruthless Japanese submarine that took the lives of innocent citizens
and the mystery of a lost airliner that disappeared along with thirteen unfortunate
souls.
The books includes information on the history of diving in the Port Moresby
area from the days of the early hard-helmet pearl divers to the modern self
contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba). For overseas scuba diving
visitors there is a chapter on accommodation available in the area. The website
for the book is located at -- http://www.datec.net.pg/~mecba.
PNG Diving Sites
The following is sample of some of the web sites dealing with diving in PNG.
It is not a complete list and if you would like your organisation mentioned
in this newsletter please let me know.
Dive Discovery -- http://www.divediscovery.com//png/
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions - Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef, diving...
-- http://www.mikeball.com/
Diving Liveaboards and Diving Resort Packages in Papua New Guinea ... -- http://www.divingtravel.com/png.htm
Scuba diving Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. Liveaboard dive charters, PNG. --
http://www.png-diveboat.com/
Diversion Dive Travel -- http://www.diversionoz.com/en/png.htm
Peter Hughes Diving, Star Dancer -- http://www.peterhughes.com/phstar/starmain.htm
Merchant Vessel FeBrina -- http://ww.febrina.com
News Items
MERRY CHRISTMAS
It's that time of year again - from the PNG Gossip Newsletter to all readers
across the globe - have a very Merry Christmas / Xmas / Hanukkah or just have
an end of year rest. Also have a Happy start to the NEW YEAR
The newsletter will be back in 2005.
2005 Public Holidays
The following public holidays have been announced for 2005.
New Year's Day -- Saturday 1 January
Good Friday -- 25 March
Easter Saturday -- 26 March
Easter Monday -- 28 March
Remembrance Day -- Monday 25th April
Queens Birthday -- Monday 13 June
Independence Day -- Friday 16 September
Christmas Day -- Sunday 25 December<br>
Boxing Day -- Monday 26 December<br>
Special Holiday -- Tuesday 27 December</p>
EM TV
In a first for the Pacific region, Fiji's only commercial television operator
has confirmed it's the new owner of PNG's sole television station, EMTV. The
board of Fiji Television Limited has announced the acquisition of 100 per
cent of Media Niugini Limited, at a price of 2.1 million Australian dollars.
Media Niugini had operated EMTV for over 17 years, under the ownership of
Australian-based public company Publishing and Broadcasting Limited, controlled
by the Packer family. It's the first time a Pacific television operator has
invested so heavily in another broadcaster. But the move is unlikely to usher
in a new era of Pan-Pacific broadcasting.
EMTV has an estimated audience of 2.5 million people, and a share of around
38 per cent of PNG's advertising market
PMV Fares
The Minister for transport and Civil Aviation has said that the price increase
from 50 toea to 80 toea for a ride on Public Motor Vehicles (PMV's) in Port
Moresby is too steep. He has also said that the increase in fares along the
Highlands Highway is excessive and that he wants to meet with the Transport
Board to discuss the issue. It is understood that the Lae Transport Board
is also considering increasing fares due to the increases in the cost of new
vehicles, spare parts and fuel.
Engan Budget
The government of Enga Province has passed a K55 million budget. Approximately
K43 million will come from National Government grants and the province will
raise the rest. Education and infrastructure developments are again the focus
of the budget.
Henganofi
The Henganofi district of the Eastern Highlands Province has been hit by
frosts that have devastated food gardens. The frost has affected high altitude
areas and has caused substantial damages crops grown by the subsistence farmers
in the area.
Airport Sick Bay
Andrew Ogil, the director of Civil Aviation has admitted to leasing out one
of the two sick bays at Jackson's airport to one of the third level airlines.
This leaves only one sick bay at the domestic terminal to cater for passengers
requiring medical attention. The International terminal is a reasonable walk
for an able bodied person but would be a considerable distance for an ill
passenger especially in the hot humid conditions experienced during the day
in Port Moresby. Mr Ogil has said that the lease was only a temporary one
until arch 2005. He also said that the medical facilities are still in the
room and the third level airline understands that they must vacate the room
for medical cases.
Rural Development Bank
A 14-month recovery plan has been put in place to help the Rural Development
Bank move back to profitability. It has been revealed that as from the end
of May this year the bank has been insolvent. The government will provide
emergency funding in 2005 subject to key milestones being achieved by the
bank board and management.
Cocoa Industry
The PNG cocoa industry is under threat from a cocoa pod borer that is already
causing concerns in the Indonesian province of Papua. PNG shares a common
land border with Papua. The pest has already caused problems in the Philippines
where the industry has virtually collapsed and also in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Annual production in Malaysia was 260,000 tonnes before the borer problem
and now production has dropped to 32,000 tonnes. There are no known pesticides
to control the borer that is smaller than a mosquito and difficult to detect
until it is too late.
ENB Budget
The East New Britain Provincial Government has handed down almost K70 million
for their 2005 budget. The budget allocation of K69,539,500 is about 14 percent
less than the 2004 budget estimates. Of the budget figure almost K53 million
will come from the National Government with the rest being raised within the
province. Education and Infrastructure both received about 32 percent of the
budget.
Porgera Hospital
The Porgera Joint Venture has donated a new ambulance valued at K100,000
to the Porgera Hospital. The ambulance will be sued to transport patients
around as well as travel to Mount Hagen to pick up medical supplies.
FM Radio
FM radio station, FM 100, has installed new transmitters in Mount Hagen that
will enable the radio signal to be heard in parts of Chimbu, Southern Highlands
and Enga provinces.
Bomana Prison
A contract has been signed recently for work to be carried out to prevent
the Bomana River from encroaching on the north west side of the Bomana Correctional
Institution. A total of K1.9 million has been set aside for the work. Work
should commence very soon possibly before the end of the year.
PNG Honours
The new PNG Honours System - "Order of Logohu" will run side by
side with the present British Imperial honours system. The Logohu honours
will allow more people to be recognised as there is a quota system in operation
for the British honours system.
The Order of Logohu is modelled on the British Imperial system. "Logohu"
is a Motuan word for the national symbol of PNG - the Bird of Paradise.
National Housing
The National Housing Authority will soon build two apartment buildings valued
at K1 million each in the national Capital District. One building will be
built in Gordons and the other at Gerehu. Construction of the 6 x 3 bedroom
units will start early next year.
PNG Credit Rating
Standard and Poors have upgraded its rating on PNG from stable to positive.
The country's long term local currency rating has been affirmed at B-plus
and the foreign currency long term rating has been confirmed to be B. The
ratings have been constrained by the economic vulnerabilities inherent in
a small undeveloped, commodity based and low income economy.
Defence Force
The Defence Air Transport Squadron is looking for new training grounds for
its men. The Squadron is looking at going outside for training and also doing
cross-country training so that the men would become multi-skilled. The pilot
ceiling for the squadron is 30 but currently the force only has 9 pilots.
Out of 50 cadets currently training at Igam barracks in Lae six will be selected
to undergo pilot cadet training.
Bougainville Budget
The Bougainvillean 2005 Budget is an attempt by the Government of John Momis
to reallocate spending to high priority areas such as health, education, district
development, feeder roads, capacity building and the strengthening of institutions.
Over 90 percent of the people in the province currently live in rural areas
and the current Bougainville government appears to be committed to improving
services to these people.
Angau Hospital
Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae, Morobe Province now has a new children's
ward. The building cost about K150,000 to set up and relied on many donations
and free labour. The foundation of the ward was established with free labour
from Rotarians in Brisbane, Australia.
PNG Media
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